The
Collections
Robert Flack, Anatomical Garden (Chakras), 1990-1991.
A permanent resource of the Art Centre is the University of Guelph Art Collection of over 3,000 works focusing on three centuries of Canadian and international art works. The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Collection features work by recognized regional and national artists. A major thrust of this collection is to provide a rigorous, in-depth survey of contemporary art practice in Canada.
The Donald Forster Sculpture Park:
In 1983 the Art Centre grounds were developed into the Donald Forster Sculpture Park to be used for permanently sited sculptures, temporary installations of large-scale pieces and an outdoor activity space for events like children’s art classes. This on-going project features 35 works by 32 artists. The outdoor sculpture collection is enhanced with landscaping elements such as paved areas, lighting, berms, and plantings appropriate to the design of the park and siting of individual works. The objective is to acquire sculptures which represent the best work being produced in Canada while including some examples of historical works. The Sculpture Park is a unique tourist attraction for the city and region and an important educational resource for area educational institutions. Six commissions have been funded with the generous support of du Maurier Arts Ltd. The Art Centre Volunteers have also contributed to the development of the Sculpture Park through raising art acquisition funds. This outstanding venue for permanent sculpture by Canadian artists ranks among the best and most diverse sculpture parks in Canada.
Inuit:
The Art Centre also houses an internationally recognized collection of Canadian Inuit Art. The objective is to build a definitive collection of Inuit drawings representing the contemporary period (1950's to present) and those Inuit communities actively engaged in art production. A good representation of the other Inuit art media - prints, sculpture and fabric collage, have been acquired so that the public can have as thorough an introduction as possible to the artistic heritage of the Inuit. In concentrating on drawings the Centre is the world’s first public institution to focus its Inuit Art collection on this important art form. By supplementing its collection with research, touring exhibitions, publications and an education program, the Centre has been recognized nationally and internationally for this specialization. This collection is supported, in part, through funds donated by Blount Canada Ltd. The collections have grown rapidly through generous donations of works of art, purchase funds and bequests.
Jessie Oonark, Iluiliaqmiut People, 1978.